Liverpool's owners have already made clear they will stand by boss Brendan Rodgers no matter what happens tomorrow evening, with an unequivocal backing for the coach they believe is their man in the long term.

That means he definitely will be given this season to turn things around, but Rodgers will be devastated by the loss of Balotelli for a game he is desperate to win to relieve the pressure.

One of the striker's only two goals this season have come in the Champions League, and the manager knows his maverick talents are well suited to the tricky tie in Sofia, where they will need a spark up front.

In pictures - Liverpool prepare for Bulgaria:

Down and out: Balotelli will miss the must-win match against Ludogorets (Image: Alex Livesey)

Instead, that responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Rickie Lambert, with the England centre-forward at least heading there on the back of a major boost in confidence, after finally opening his Liverpool goalscoring account at the weekend.

Rodgers decided not to risk Balotelli despite the pressing needs of the team, to try and ensure he has a chance of being fit for the weekend visit to Anfield of Stoke, a game that has become almost a “must win” for the Reds.

The medical advice was that travelling across Europe could set him back further as the Italian tries to recover from a groin problem he picked up on international duty with his country.

Instead, he will stay back at the club's Melwood training headquarters, for intensive treatment, in the hope he can be fit for Saturday.